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Business Quad Day 2011

8/24/2011

You just knew something big was happening.

By 9:30 a.m. several staff members were assembling tables all around the courtyard and covering them with formal white paper. Fifty or so students milled about, casually chatting about dorm rooms, friends and new schedules.

By 10:50 a.m. you had to carefully navigate the flow of people entering and leaving BIF or risk bumping into someone. Refreshments had arrived and the courtyard was filled with student organization representatives carrying signs and boxes of promotional items.

By 11:00 a.m. the Commons area presented an inspiring buzz of activity as students unable to move to the courtyard laughed and mingled over their double chocolate latte’s, hyped about new classes and the latest Facebook news. In the courtyard hundreds of students gathered for Business Quad Day 2011. Several booths and a hundred or more eager provocateurs mingled with their freshmen targets, hoping to capture a few more members for their organizations.

“The campus Quad Day was too big,” said Robyn Tyler, representing the National Association for Black Accountants. “We received over 100 sign-ups then and we’re hoping to get many more today. Business Quad Day is more focused on business students.”

By 11:30 a.m. the crowd in the courtyard had grown to capacity with people spilling over to the grassy areas.

Samantha Gorcelany spoke to those interested in Alpha Kappa Psi, billed as the world’s oldest and largest professional business fraternity. Her task was made easier for the pens, clips, karabiners, and highlighters on her table; free gifts for those interested.

Gorcelany joined the fraternity herself, only a year and a half ago. She said she liked the friendly people and professional opportunities it affords. Upperclassmen mentors are paired with incoming freshmen to help them learn what they need to know. Gorcelany added that these mentorships often lead to internships and ultimately jobs.

“You get to meet great friendly people who help your career,” she said.

By 12:50 p.m. the free t-shirts were gone and the crowd was moving on.

“I’ll see you in class,” said one friend to another. Business Quad Day came to a happy close with a few more friends looking forward to the life of a business student.